The New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division, a division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department has awarded Audubon Southwest $16,945 in support of its Outdoor Field Science program. The first-of-its-kind Outdoor Equity Fund was created to increase equitable access to the outdoors for all youth. The grant supports programming that provides outdoor experiences which foster stewardship and respect for New Mexico’s land, water, and cultural heritage.

Audubon was awarded funds to provide field trips and school programs to engage Santa Fe public school students and teachers with hands-on outdoor science experiences that allow them to connect with the local environment and learn about wildlife conservation around the Randall Davey Audubon Center.

The Audubon Center & Sanctuary, located in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in the Santa Fe National Forest, has been a leader in providing engaging and educational programs to Santa Fe youth for over 25 years. Over multiple generations, our education programs have reached tens of thousands of students in Santa Fe and across New Mexico. We provide standards-aligned field trips, in-class school programs, virtual lessons, and distance materials to connect students with birds and wildlife in the area.

Hands-on educational experiences are essential to developing the next generation of conservation leaders who understand and care about the local wildlife and habitats found around their community. This grant ensures that students from across Santa Fe are able to experience time at the Randall Davey Audubon Center and will address the lack of racial and economic diversity in bird watching, environmental conservation, and outdoor recreation.

The Outdoor Field Science program is part of the Outdoor Education Collaborative, which includes SFPS teachers, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, and Santa Fe Watershed Association. In addition to the OEF grant, Audubon Southwest and the Randall Davey Audubon Center receive funding for our education programs from the LANL Foundation, Brindle Foundation, and the NMDGF Share With Wildlife program.